The CPC initiates proceedings against “Tir Parking Ruse” OOD for potential anticompetitive practices at the Bulgaria-Romania border in violation of art. 21 LPC and art. 102 TFEU

By Decision No. 305/21.03.2024, the Commission for the Protection of Competition launched an ex officio investigation for antitrust violations with respect to the operation of the so called “buffer parking site” located in proximate vicinity of the border checkpoint “Dunav most”.

Following preliminary investigation the Commission reached a reasonable assumption that the rules governing the access of cargo haulers to the border checkpoint potentially create competitive advantage for one of the operators of designated parking spaces for temporary stay of road haulers vis-à-vis competing parking operators, providing identical services in the town area of Ruse. 

The CPC collected preliminary data indicating the existence of possible discriminatory practices, favoring the Bulgarian haulers vis-à-vis their Romanian competitors, engaged in cross border transport of goods. 

Through recourse to these practices and taking advantage of its privileged access to the “virtual queue” information system, “Tir Parking Ruse” OOD potentially could prevent, restrict or distort competition both between the operator itself and its competitors, as well as between the haulers crossing the border checkpoint. 

The Commission’s decision is published in the public electronic register of the CPC with address: https://reg.cpc.bg/.